[one_half last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
Don’t Eat the Marshmallow!
On Persuasion and Delayed Gratification
In the 1970’s, an experiment was conducted in which little kids were placed in a room (one at a time) with a single marshmallow placed on a table right in front of them. The person who brought them into the room said: “I am leaving the room. If when I return, you will not have eaten the marshmallow, I will give you another one and you will have two”. The person then left the room and time was measured for each kid: how long before they ate the marshmallow.
[/fusion_text][/one_half][one_half last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
[/fusion_text][/one_half][fusion_text]
Most of the kids did reach for the marshmallow. But then, they were just kids right? Well, when it comes to interacting with people around us, especially close friends and colleagues, we are all kids, sitting in front of a table covered with big fresh tasty marshmallows.
It’s quite remarkable how many senior executives fail to wait for the “second marshmallow”. That second marshmallow is “lasting impact” on the people around us and a stronger influence – control – over our environments and lives. A combination of circumstances, our upbringing and our character all push us to reach forward and grab a marshmallow. However, every time we do – we lose out on a bigger, more valuable and more lasting reward.
This interpersonal communication model presents principles that can vastly improve your ability to influence people’s opinions with honesty and integrity. It’s about giving you the tools to achieve whatever it is you wish to achieve, through the efficient and effective mobilization of people around you – especially key stakeholders who’s willing collaboration and support is key to your success (some call them “Influencers” and others “Force Amplifiers”).
In short, the single most important message of this model is: if you want more influence and control over your life – DON’T EAT THE MARSHMALLOW!
[/fusion_text]